Juvenile diabetes, also known as Type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a disorder of the body’s immune system. Juvenile diabetes is diagnosed in children, teenagers and young adults.The exact cause of juvenile diabetes (Type 1 diabetes) is still unclear. The common belief is that juvenile diabetes is caused due to an insult to the immune system. This can be either infectious or toxic, which in turn causes the autoimmune response to alter pancreatic protein, resulting in inadequate insulin production. Let’s make one thing perfectly clear, this type of diabetes is not caused by obesity or by eating excessive sugar. Children diagnosed with diabetes will require insulin injections for survival.

Symptoms of Juvenile diabetes:

Bedwetting  Or More Frequent Urination

If you note your child is forever thirsty and hungry, this may indicate that there is a lack of insulin which transports much needed glucose to your child’s body cells, the body tries to make up for the lack of insulin by absorbing water from everywhere it can. Thus this makes the child very thirsty and usually very hungry as well. Because of the increase in fluid intake, it has to go somewhere, and so the child needs to keep running to the toilet to emptying his or her bladder. The onset of bedwetting can start simply because the bladder is so full all of the time.

Unexplained Loss Of Weight

Sure kids burn a lot of energy and can be quite thin, however, anytime your child is loosing weight for seemingly no reason at all. This may indicate juvenile diabetes is affecting their health and alarm bells should start ringing especially when the child is eating and drinking more than usual, yet still loosing weight. The body just can’t eat and drink enough when it has problems producing insulin. Like any piece of machinery if there is a problem in the fuel supply you can’t expect it to run properly.

More Confused Than Usual

It can be said that quite often kids thoughts are quite confused or rather confusing this can easily be put down to their stage in life. However, this may in-fact be one of the harder juvenile diabetes symptoms to discern. If your child is showing signs of confusion, disorientation or uncoordinated movements due to fatigue, coupled with increased hunger and thirst, pay attention. These are symptoms of the body going through a lot of work trying to keep the child going.

The most common in children is type 1 diabetes mellitus. The early signs and symptoms of the disease include:

1.            Frequent thirst and desire of sweet drinks as child suffering from diabetes urinates very often.

2.            Unusual urination due to high level of glucose in the blood as when there is high level of sugar in the body kidneys start getting rid of it.

3.            Irritability and changes in the behavior.

4.            Sudden drop in the weight of the child because body uses fat and proteins for energy in place of glucose.

5.            Extreme fatigue and weakness in the child.

6.            Changes in the eyesight the child may have blurred vision.

7.            Acute symptoms as nausea and vomiting.

8.            Increased appetite in the child.

9.            In untreated and undiagnosed cases diabetic acidosis is seen also known as diabetic coma.

10.          Child may complain of dry mouth and throat

11.          Pain in abdomen.

12.          In toddlers and infants diaper rashes are seen which are not improved after the application of medicated creams.

Read About Guggul and Lower Cholesterol Supplements and also Control Obesity

Insulin pump therapy delivers continuous insulin support to diabetics. The insulin pump is a small device which is about the size of a small cell phone. The device is worn outside the body and delivers insulin through a small tube.

The end of the thin tube, called the cannula, is inserted under the skin. The cannula must be reinserted under the skin twelve times a month. A reinsertion of the cannula feels like a needle prick. The reinsertions of the cannula is generally preferred to daily injections.

The insulin pump delivers the amount of insulin that the diabetic patient deems necessary. A base rate of insulin is delivered to the body. This mimics the normal production of insulin by the pancreas in those without diabetes. When food is eaten, the insulin pump user programs the pump to provide the necessary amount of insulin.

The use of insulin pump therapy eliminates the need for daily multiple injections of insulin. One of the benefits is the freedom that this therapy offers to the diabetic. Administering insulin by multiple daily injections often requires that the diabetic follow a strict schedule. With the insulin pump, the need for a schedule is minimized if not entirely eliminated. People using insulin pump therapy are reported to have more dietary freedom and less risk of complications from diabetes such as eye, kidney, and nerve disease.

The insulin pump user needs only to program the doses of insulin that are necessary to control the blood glucose level. The base rate of insulin can be adjusted in preparation of exercise or in times of illness or infection. The delivery of a base rate of insulin helps the diabetic achieve a steady blood glucose level. The cost of insulin pump therapy is higher than using insulin injections. For diabetics who have difficulty regulating their blood glucose levels, the pump may be the healthier insulin delivery method.

I was skimming over JDRF groups in the States last night, when I came across the story of Larry and Lucky Parker. Most people who were alive in the 70’s and old enough to comprehend the tragedy that occurred concerning the Parker’s decision to withhold their son’s lifesaving insulin injections,resulting in his death were eager to watch the 1988 interpretation of the contoversy that surrounded the Parker’s, their church and the events following the death of their son in a Steve Gyllenhaal film, Promised A Miracle.

I read a lot about the Parker’s last night. They were a decent. church going family, who had tremendous faith and belief in the miracles that God had performed within their own congregation. When they were approached by a healer who convinced them that the life saving properties of Western Medicine would and could be superceded by the power of prayer, they considered withdrawing his medication, and were encouraged by the congregation to believe in the miracles that only God could perform. Their son, who suffered from “severe” Type 1 Diabetes was dependent on the life-giving insulin shots his parents gave him daily.

That was until they deprived him of his insulin requirements completely, putting all of their belief in their congregation’s desire for prayer to cure the Parker’s son of the “devil’s interference.”

His hyperglycaemic halluncinations were blamed on “the devil” or “evil forces”, trying to scare them back into commencing insulin therapy to correct their son’s rapidly deteriorating condition. Still. they did not relent and their faith remained stronger than ever.

Three days later, Larry and Lucky’s son died.

The Parker’s sent out media releases and asked for prayer groups from all over the world to pray for the resurrection of their son. (According to the evangelist, he would “rise” four days after death, diabetes free.)

Naturally, he didn’t.

The Parker’s were so overwhelmed with what they had done, and it wasn’t long before the police were called into the whole debacle.  They were charged and sentenced with involuntary manslaughter.

After reading many viewer’s comments. I found myself searching for as much information as I could regarding the Parker’s.

I checked on EBay Australia, and there was 1 tattered copy of the film available. I bought it-I just want to watch it once to see how the devout faith of one Californian family crashed and burned into nothing short of devastation and heartbreak.

There is also a book available by Larry Parker called “We Let Our Son Die.” In due time I will order it and read his reasonings behind allowing a “healer” to convince him to stop his son’s life saving medication.

I guess I just wanted to put my 5 cents worth in. I can’t judge the Parker’s decision, because I don’t know the entire story or all the facts behind their choice, however, I am imploring parent’s in the world today who have a child with Type 1 Diabetes to NEVER, EVER stop your child’s injections or insulin therapy.. Even when they are sick and not eating, people with diabetes STILL require insulin to stay alive. It is a hormone that is essential to LIVE.

Two arrests were made in April this year concerning the parents’ of a child with Type 1 Diabetes decision to cease insulin injections, resulting in her death.  These parents, too, were giving the power of prayer a chance to cure their child of Type 1 Diabetes. 

 As wonderful as it is to have faith, and knowing how much comfort it brings so many people across the world, your child WILL DIE if you stop their medication. Even though insulin is not a cure, you might like to stop and thank your God for the gift of man made insulin. It is what keeps our children and every person with Type 1 Diabetes alive and able to grow into healthy, strong adults. It’s the ONLY way. There are NO exceptions or alternatives.

Stopping your child’s insulin will end in tragedy and disaster.

Without their daily insulin, they WILL eventually become unconsious, they WILL eventually lapse into a coma, and they WILL die.

 As much as we create awareness and inform our politicians that ”insulin is not a cure”, it’s a blessed miracle that we have the ability to keep our children alive and healthy as a result of daily insulin injections.

NEVER STOP INSULIN INJECTIONS. YOU’LL NEVER FORGIVE YOURSELF FOR MAKING THIS FATAL DECISION.

If you want to test God through the power of prayer,keep praying for the cure that our all too-patient, beautiful children deserve.

On Saturday night, Lance and I were closing up the house, ready for bed. I asked him to brush his teeth and have a test, and he asked me to pick one book, as it was quite late.

I sleepily went into his room, and casually flicked through some titles…they all seemed so easy now since he has learnt to read with such skill.

What was this???

“Rufus Comes Home: Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes.”

The last time I attempted to read this book to Lance, the subject was conveniently changed several times, there were numerous toilet breaks, and highly dramatic yawns. I got the picture.

However, that was last April. A lot had happened in Lance’s Diabetes life since then. His maturity levels have heightened considerably, so I took the gamble and decided to see what response I got. Lance appeared at the bedroom door and scrambled into bed.

“What did you select?” his sapphire- blue eyes dancing and wide awake.

(I had it under the covers in case I was drowned out in moans of “borrrrrrrrring” or “bla bla bla”.)

 I bravely pulled it out, and he read the title.

“Wow! We haven’t read this for AGES!” he exclaimed.

I was so thrilled at his immediate and growing enthusiasm. He was very interested to know that the book was written by Kim Gosselin, who collaberated with a mother of a boy who had just been diagnosed named Brian.

The first page has Brian sitting on his bed, looking typically undiagnosed..sunken eyes, unhappy face. Lance even observed that his mental health was in a bad way as he had a “sombre” drawing cello taped to the wall above his bed. (“Not a good sign of how is he is feeling..”reflected Lance.)

Lance remarked, “Why did the illustrator give Brian SUCH a big head! It’s bigger than his body!”

Swallowing an outburst of giggles, I continued reading in a calm voice about how Brian was suffering with all of the symptoms the Lance had gone through. I recalled how Lance was SO thirsty all the time, and the more fluid I gave, the more voracious his thirst became.

“Oh, I remember that.”

Wha..WHAT! You remember???

I decided to continue on and not ask questions. Afterall, he has heard that extreme thirst is a symptom of hyperglycaemia a gazillion times. I mentioned how Lance’s thrush was so severe that I had to get him to wee in a freezing cold tub of water to ease the pain and burning.

“The silver tub? You used to undress me and at first it was sooo cold, but it felt so good on ‘THAT’ area.”

Oh GOSH! You do remember!!

I decided to purposely ask questions that he could not possibly guess. In the book, Brian’s mother bought him a teddy bear, to which Lance replied, ” You bought me a dinosaur, and Pop and Ma bought me a pair of canary yellow pjs with trucks on the top and satin pants.”

He DOES remember!!!I have those pyjamas in a bag of clothes that I associate with his extreme weight loss and uncomfortablity. He proved he remembered a valid memory as a 1 year old at the worst ever time in his life!!!!!

He remembers a “chocolate” nurse waking him up trying to get a drop of blood, and missing four times. I was there, and remember sitting in frustration and ending up taking the glucometer off her.

He remembers his grandparents bringing him a giant balloon, and Lance added, ” Remember when Pop didn’t understand about Type 1 Diabetes and he bought a packet of Jelly Beans?? I cried when we couldn’t open him.”Exact replica of what happened!

“I also remember everytime I woke up you were looking at me. You didn’t go to sleep for days.”

Hole in one!!!!

“You carried me everywhere, kissing my neck and hugging me tight..”

That’s right.

“You didn’t need to practise on an orange when you gave me my first shot of insulin, you just told me you loved me and did it in my leg, whilst the nurses watched.”

This was unbelievable…

Correct.

“Most of all I remember is that when I felt really really sick, I couldn’t explain it. I would just cry and want to sit with you. My tummy hurt one hundred out of one hundred, and my legs had terrible pains in them. At least I worked out that even though I hated the needles, they took away the horrible feelings, and really fast.”

Tears. That’s so true, one minute he would be planted in the bed, and in 15 minutes or so, he would be riding a childsize firetruck.The transformation was incredible. The stuff I have been wondering about for years… The information I thought I’d never know…this was magic!!

At this point, I continued reading about Brian, and his introduction to his glucometer, and the syringe and administering insulin. Lance was mesmorised. In the story, Brian’s mother goes to buy some things in preparation for her son’s return home, and she comes across a lonely teddy bear on a top shelf. She decides that he would be a perfect companion for Brian. She also bought coloured felt patches, and sewed them in the areas an insulin dependent diabetic uses everyday-the belly, the arm, the leg, and the cute bear tushy. There are even red love hearts sewn on his paws, to indicate where Rufus gets his fingerpricks.

Lance jumped out of bed, and raced into his room, where a lot of loud rummaging took place. Lance re-emerged with Rufus, and an equally big smile. I went on a nostalgic trip remembering the injections that Rufus would have to undergo, so that Lance would have his. Rufus was reprimanded on numerous occasions for trying to avoid having his shots. His once-immaculate felt strips were covered in needlepricks and coloured fluff.

(Lance put Rufus away in November last year after he went to Canberra. There were loads of kids there clutching their Rufus or Ruby ( Ruby is the girl equivilent…) and Lance was shocked not to mention disappointed that Rufus wasn’t an exclusive friend just for him. Therefore, after we returned, I was told that Rufus would take pride of place on the top shelf of Lance’s desk.)

After we finished the story, and Lance and Rufus got reaquainted, Lance planted a soft kiss on my lips, and wrapped his arms around me for a divine 30 seconds. Lance never says anything devastating or negative about having diabetes. Ever. It’s something he has accepted with a remarkable amount of maturity, because it’s such a big part of  his life. However, after the lights were off for a few minutes, he said;

“Mum..(not Kate this time…) do you know that I would wash ALL the dishes everyday and clean the whole house, and even buy you a red stone ring if I didn’t have to have all of these injections? Rufus said the same thing.”

Luckily, I quickly nipped it in the bud and mentioned all the extraordinary things that have come his way through having Type 1 Diabetes. He squeezed my hand tight, and said, “I know..but I am praying right now for the cure and Rufus is helping me.”

I had to bite my lip hard to stop from sobbing. Rufus had bought up issues that Lance rarely lets himself speak about. It was so empancipating for BOTH of us to get them out and in the open. The next day, Lance spent a great deal of time of the day looking at photos and toys that I have kept from around diagnosis time. For me, they were very difficult to look at, but after the “Rufus” chat, I even felt a lot more accepting about touching them and remembering those days of horror.

Rufus doesn’t live on the top shelf, anymore. He has been promoted to underneath Lance’s pillow, where the two of them cuddle and whisper at night about “their” secret. (Chino has a liking for Rufus too, so he HAS to be hidden!!)

(If you are a member of JDRF Australia, your child will receive a KIDSAC pack with a Rufus/Ruby bear, a cap, a book, and lots of cool accessories /inforamation all in a cool JDRF shoulder bag.)

If you are NOT a member of JDRF, and would like to purchase a Rufus/Ruby bear, they are available from JDRF. Rufus and Ruby sales go DIRECTLY to the best Type 1 Diabetes Research in Australia-an added incentive to purchase one, besides being SO adorable!!!

Contact Sydney Head Office (JDRF) on http://www.jdrf.org.au/